Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Makes Waves In The U.K.

Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra may hang their hats inside the House of Swing at Columbus Circle, but they're also musical ambassadors around the world. NY1's Stephanie Simon tagged along on the orchestra's recent tour of Great Britain, and found out that life on the road isn't easy – no matter how well you play.

You miss your family and your kids," Winton Marsalis says of life on the road. There are long drives everyday; concerts finish at 10:30 and then you sign autographs until maybe 2 or 3 o'clock; you leave maybe at 7, and you do that 5 or 6 days in a row."

In late September, Marsalis and his 14-member jazz orchestra traveled to Great Britain to perform his original composition All Rise" with The London Symphony Orchestra. But there was more than just the music to deal with.

London is so expensive," says LCJO bassist Carlos Henriquez. You thought New York was expensive? London is really expensive."

I grew up listening to my father's jazz records and listening to the radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's jazz records and listening to the radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.